Commenting on the clarification given by 10 Downing Street that the government has ruled out any form of customs union with the EU, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“By ruling out a customs union, the government is choosing to put up barriers to UK trade with Europe. It will be bad for jobs, bad for investment and bad for business.

“The Prime Minister must break free of the Brexit extremists in her party and put working people first. The best way to protect jobs, investment and rights at work is through the single market and customs union.”